Introduction

This Whole Orange Cake is a delightful flourless treat that highlights the vibrant flavor of fresh oranges. Moist, fragrant, and naturally gluten-free, it’s a simple yet impressive dessert to make any time of year.

A round orange cake with a golden-brown top is placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. One thick triangular slice is cut out, showing a moist and dense orange interior with a slightly uneven texture. The cake is decorated with thin curly orange peels and fresh green leaves on top, along with small white flowers and a single thin orange slice placed near the center. The bright colors and textures create a fresh, inviting look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 medium oranges, fresh whole with rind on
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
6 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups white sugar
2 3/4 cups almond meal (ground almonds)

Instructions

Step 1: Place the whole oranges in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 10 minutes. Drain the water.
Step 2: Repeat the boiling process two more times by covering the oranges with fresh cold water and boiling for 10 minutes each time. Alternatively, boil the oranges continuously for 40 minutes without draining, making sure to monitor the water level.
Step 3: Rinse the oranges and let them cool enough to handle. Slice into 1cm (1/4 inch) slices, then dice, removing any seeds. Let the chopped oranges cool completely.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F), or 140°C (285°F) if using a fan-forced oven. Grease and line a 23cm (9 inch) cake pan with parchment paper.
Step 5: Place the chopped oranges in a food processor. Blitz on high in 4 bursts of 10 seconds each, scraping down the sides between bursts, until the oranges form a marmalade-like puree with a few bits of rind remaining. It does not need to be completely smooth.
Step 6: Add the almond meal, eggs, baking powder, and sugar to the food processor. Blitz for 5 to 10 seconds on high until everything is combined into a smooth batter.
Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 60 minutes, or until the surface is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Let the cake cool completely in the pan. To prevent sticking, cover the surface with parchment paper before turning the cake out if your pan does not have a loose base.
Step 9: Decorate the cake as desired with fresh orange slices, rind strips, or edible flowers. A light dusting of powdered sugar also adds a lovely finishing touch. Slice and serve.

Tips & Variations

Use blood oranges or seville oranges for a slightly different flavor and a beautiful color variation.
If you don’t have a food processor, use a blender or mix the ingredients by hand, chopping the oranges very finely before combining.
To add extra moisture and flavor, try folding in a handful of chopped nuts or dried cranberries before baking.

Storage

Store the orange cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or enjoy cold.

How to Serve

A single-layer round orange cake with a moist and slightly textured surface sits on white parchment paper. The cake is topped with delicate white flowers, thin orange peel spirals, and a couple of green leaves. A slice is cut out from the cake, showing its soft and dense inside with a warm orange color. The cake is placed on a white marbled surface, creating a bright and fresh setting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use orange juice instead of whole oranges?

This recipe relies on the texture and oil from the whole orange peel, so using juice alone will change the cake’s consistency and flavor. For the best results, use whole oranges as instructed.

Is this cake gluten-free?

Yes, this cake is naturally gluten-free since it uses almond meal instead of wheat flour. Just be sure your almond meal is certified gluten-free if you have a sensitivity.